Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-05-10
EDWARD ROBERTSON
APPOINTED SUPERINTENDENT OF THE
PENITENTIARY
By Governor Wilson, Yesterday-Ths New Official
10 Leave for Charleston This
Morning
The announcementby wire from Charles

The announcement by wire from Charles
ton, appearing in another part of this
mornings REGISTER, that Governor Will
son has appointed Hon. Edward Robert
son, of this city, to be Superintendent of
the State Penitentiary at MOundsville,
will be received with satisfaction by a
large number of our people. Mr.. Robert
son will leave for Charleston this morning,
in obedience 10 telegram, to confer with
His Excellency, aud it is presumed he will
return in few days, and at once enter
upon the discharge Of his duties. The
appointment is peculiarly satisfactory to
Mr.. Robertson and his friends, in that, as
we have it from high authority, it was
entirely unsolicited. In Il conversation
with the lucky gentleman, a few days ago,
he said to REGISTER reporter:
The first intimation had OF the mat
ter was upon the occasion Of recent visit
to Charleston. In company with friend,
called upon the Governor, who, at the
moment of my entrance, was busily ell
gagged with some gentlemen. Looking up,
the Governor shook hands with us, and
then excusing himself to those with whom
he had been conversing, he called me to
one side and said:
edward, / have been thinking over
the superintendency Of the penitentiary,
and have concluded, in case the Senate
fails to confirm Mr.. Peck, to appoint you
to the position
81 said: Il am certainly much obliged
to you, Governor. l did not come here with
any such expectation as this, but if you
have determined upon the selection,
ii will say that think |
will be able to reflect credit
upon you. You, and all who
know me, are fully aware of my views
upon the convict labor question, but what
ever may he my convictions upon that
question, or any other, / can safely say
they will not interfere with my faithful
discharge of my duty, rs l find 1t under
the law
A few days after this, upon Mr.. Robert
sons return home, kilograms from Charles
| ton made vague mention Of the probable
selection of Mr.. Robertson in certain con-
tingenCies, but there was nothing definite.
Now the rumOr has crystalized into very
palpable fact, and Mr.. RObertson'S friends,
and especially those who are embraced in
the various labor organizations of this city
and vicinity, will rejoice with him at his
good fortune.
Mr.. Robertson's history is q somewhat
| interesting one. Born within the limits of
the Second ward ofthis city, he enlisted in an
Indiana or Illinois cavalry regiment, i'll
! 1865, when but sixteen years of age, and
served in Tennessee, and later was in the
Southwest with Sheridan, about the time
Maximilians antics made things look
sGually on the Mexican frontier. Being
mustered out in due time, he returned
home and drifted into newspaper office,
where he learned the trade of a printer.
| He has worked AZ cOmpositOr in most of
the large cities of the country, settling
down again in Wheeling about ten years
ago. Half dozen years ago Mr.. Robert
son embarked i'll business for himself, rs 4
Job printer, and about the same time he
began TO develOpe IN interest in the labor
organizations of the city and vicinity. He
was active in organizing the X. of i. in
this city and surrounding towns, and in n
wear or two became leader among the
working population. In the autumn of
! 1884 Mr.. Robertson was nominated by the
Democratic County Convention rs 4 candi-
| date fOI the House of Delegates, and was
triumphantly elected. lie discharged his
duties with signal ability, and developed
oratOrical powers of no mean order. At
the last city election he was chosen men,
| Der of the Second Branch of Council from
| a., L,urtb ,yor1 aud bus already StpnOpl
to the front in that body.
Those who know him best predict that
he will make good Superintendent, and
he goes into the office with many wishes
that he may succeed.